[Anonymous July 25, 1997 at 2:01 pm Post count: 93172]

#1054594

Does anyone have any info or personal experience about St. Johns Wort
affecting Thyroid levels. I have been taking St Johns Wort for a few weeks for
depression and have felt tremendous benefits. But I got a call from my
doctor telling me that my TSH (which is usually around a .02 – 1.5) was
up to 10 this week. She thinks I have finally gone hypo – but my body is
still acting very hyper (I am 4 months post RAI). My chiropractor’s initial thought was that some
believe that the reason SJW works is because it stabilizes thryoid homone
production, thus eliviating depression. So she is going to reseach it
further. But if anyone else has any ideas, please post them. THanks.

[Anonymous July 25, 1997 at 7:52 pm Post count: 93172]

#1159032

If SJW does affect thyroid levels and test results, you are taking a risk
if your test results are invalid because of this herb. You are trying to
get vaiid results on these tests that may be used as benchmarks for
later treatments. I use caution in taking any thing that would interfere
with test results while you are being monitored post RAI. Don’t forget
it is much more difficult to get tested after you are considered stable,
and you may have to live with results for a year or more.
Most HMO’s allow only one TSH test per year – and that’s all folks.

[Anonymous July 25, 1997 at 7:53 pm Post count: 93172]

#1159033

If SJW does affect thyroid levels and test results, you are taking a risk
if your test results are invalid because of this herb. You are trying to
get vaiid results on these tests that may be used as benchmarks for
later treatments. I use caution in taking any thing that would interfere
with test results while you are being monitored post RAI. Don’t forget
it is much more difficult to get tested after you are considered stable,
and you may have to live with results for a year or more.
Most HMO’s allow only one TSH test per year – and that’s all folks.

[Anonymous July 25, 1997 at 9:00 pm Post count: 93172]

#1159034

Take care of this also–I have a friend who is growing St. Johns Wort and take it to make her permenantly sterile. This herb may do more than help with depression. Please research its uses before you take it.

Manders.

[Anonymous July 27, 1997 at 12:03 am Post count: 93172]

#1159035

To anyone taking St. Johns Wort. Please be aware that it is a “MAO inhibitor”–one of those cautions that we see on practically everything we pick up. There are certain dietary restrictions, which include most aged products–Chianti wine, sharp cheddar cheese. If your depression is not improving, and your doctor (not knowing you are taking SJW) prescribes one of the antidepressants that are knows as SSRI’s (Prolac, Zoloft, Paxil, Serzone, etc.) or tricyclics (Elavil, Triavil, Tofranil. Sinequan, etc) the COMBINATION can be LETHAL.

Nancy Patterson, ARNP, PhD (to add some validity)

[Anonymous August 19, 1997 at 5:58 pm Post count: 93172]

#1159036

Finally, on eyear after RAI….I went to see an endo. Turns out in a nutshell….When my TSH went to 64 and 16 and then to 12 during those first few months after RAI. The doctor should have been looking at the Thryoid levels not the TSH and overmedicated me in the first place. Of course who can prove it and what difference does it make now. The endo said that when the pituitary has been shut down on TSH production for a long time, it can go a little overboard at first. Got to lower my synthroid some more… Yeah!!!!!! Finally I have someone to talk to that speaks the same language and can DO something.

I am very grateful that I found this board. I might have sat around for a long time wondering why I was treated and still felt hyper. waiting to “adjust” to the higher dose I was on. I wasn’t even due for a check until October with the Internal Medicine doctor. It is definitely important to stay educated and WATCH your doctors. Question anything that doesn’t make sense. Just don’t get too paranoid….

Rami

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